SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- If the Charlotte Hornets are the best
the Eastern Conference has to offer, Tim Duncan and the San
Antonio Spurs have nothing to worry about.

Duncan had 22 points and 12 rebounds and got some help from
former Hornet Malik Rose as the defending champion Spurs cruised
to a 95-79 victory, their third straight triumph.

The Spurs were touted as preseason favorites to repeat in the
Western Conference and the Hornets were the choice of many in
the East, which does not have any powerful teams. However,
Charlotte had no answer for San Antonio's inside-outside attack
or its smothering defense and fell to 0-3 on the road.

"It was our best game of the season," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich
said. "We definitely played our best basketball game. We were
consistent throughout on defense and executed consistently on
offense."

"Twin Towers" Duncan and David Robinson again stood tall as the
Spurs improved their league-leading defense to 83 points per
game. Robinson collected 16 points and 11 rebounds and shared
eight blocks with Duncan.

"Our big guys established themselves tonight," said Spurs guard
Mario Elie, who suffered a bruised shin in the fourth quarter.

"They are one of the most athletic pairs in the league," Hornets
center Elden Campbell said. "They do a good job of helping each
other to block and contest shots."

Reserve guards Terry Porter and Steve Kerr made two 3-pointers
apiece for San Antonio, which shot 47 percent (39-of-83) from
the field and held Charlotte below 36 percent (31-of-87).

Bobby Phills and Derrick Coleman scored 13 points apiece for the
Hornets, who had won their last two visits to San Antonio and
were not very impressed with the Spurs.

"I don't know what they did tonight that was overwhelming," said
Charlotte coach Paul Silas. "We had open looks but couldn't
make our shots."

"They have as many weaknesses as other teams," forward Anthony
Mason added. "Their spacing is the same, night in and night out,
and they use the same system night in and night out and win
games."

A tip-in by Campbell opened the second half and pulled Charlotte
within 47-44. Duncan answered with a pair of baskets in a 10-2
run that was capped by Elie's layup for a 57-46 bulge with 8:17
left in the third quarter.

A 3-pointer by David Wesley cut the deficit to 59-51 before the
Spurs went on another 10-2 burst. Rose, who spent his rookie
season with Charlotte before joining San Antonio, scored three
straight baskets to widen the advantage to 69-53 with 2:06 left.

"It was business," Rose said of leaving the Hornets. "It worked
out for the best. I wasn't comfortable. Things weren't going
as well as I wanted. I came to San Antonio and I got a ring, so
I am happy."

"Malik gave us a lot of energy," Popovich said. "He was under
control and played within himself."

Two free throws by Jones pulled the Hornets within 80-71 with
4:09 remaining. Porter responded with two free throws and a
3-pointer before Avery Johnson's reverse layup rebuilt the lead
to 87-71 with 2:25 to go.

Rose scored 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting. Porter added 10 points
and Johnson handed out 12 assists for the Spurs, who held a
48-43 rebounding edge.

Jones and Campbell scored 12 points each for the Hornets. Jones
made just 5-of-15 shots and Campbell was 5-of-14, also grabbing
10 rebounds.

"If we were playing them in the playoffs, we would attack them
the same way," Jones said. "We just didn't make our shots."